The Wizard's Lens: Learn to Think Like AI

Course overview

The Wizard's Lens reveals how AI actually works through physical demonstration—a working LLM you can build yourself. Drawing on revolutionary systems thinking from Cray Research, Edward W. Barnard teaches you to use AI like nobody before you, accomplishing what has never been done before.

8 parts
26 chapters
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Part 1

Introduction1 chapters

Begin part
  1. Introduction

Part 2

AI Techniques Mastered8 chapters

Begin part
  1. Becoming the Revolutionizer

  2. The Ping Pong Effect

  3. Same Skill Different Context

  4. Familiar Techniques Applied Differently

  5. Viewing Differently

  6. Local Memory Refresh

  7. Connecting the Dots

  8. The Attention Mechanism

Part 3

AI Techniques Discovered and Applied3 chapters

Begin part
  1. The Conversation Begins: Discovering Systems Thinking

  2. Refining a Mental Model Through Close Observation

  3. The Breakthrough: Mapping the Apprentice Journey

Part 4

Accomplishing the Impossible4 chapters

Begin part
  1. Take Joy in the Challenge (Part One)

  2. Token Space Management (Part Two)

  3. Doing It Because It Has Never Been Done Before (Part Three)

  4. Close Observation Yields Breakthrough Insights

Part 5

Mastery Independent of Technology5 chapters

Begin part
  1. Jolene’s Story

  2. The Mountain

  3. College Spring Break

  4. Planning, Preparation, and Practice

  5. Mastering the Craft

Part 6

Becoming the Revolutionizer1 chapters

Begin part
  1. Choosing to Become

Part 7

The Wizard’s Lens3 chapters

Begin part
  1. It’s Not Rocket Science

  2. Engaging With Complex Systems

  3. Patterns of Mastery Emerging From Both Humans and AI

Part 8

Road Map1 chapters

Begin part
  1. Appendix A. HPC Tradecraft Road Map